{"id":3262,"date":"2025-12-17T16:03:42","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T21:03:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/?p=3262"},"modified":"2025-12-17T16:03:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T21:03:44","slug":"happy-holidays-what-stragegies-can-we-use-to-offset-increases-in-food-cost-expected-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/happy-holidays-what-stragegies-can-we-use-to-offset-increases-in-food-cost-expected-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy Holidays! + What stragegies can we use to offset increases in food cost, expected in 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dal.ca\/sites\/agri-food\/research\/canada-s-food-price-report-2026.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Report on Food Prices in Canada<\/a>, there will be a 4% to 6% increase in the cost of food by 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As an example, for a family of four (two adults + two children), annual food expenses are estimated at approximately $17,571.79 in 2026, an increase of nearly $1,000 compared to 2025. This means an increase in family grocery costs of $20 more per week, or $85 more per month, for those who shop monthly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recently I had the opportunity to share some solutions to soften the impact of these expected price increases, here is a summary of the radio interview to which R\u00e9mi Villemure, host and columnist at 99.5 FM, invited me to discuss the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While all types of food will see an increase in cost in 2026, the food category that will increase the most are various types of meats, including beef.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strategy #1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Perhaps will we take advantage of higher meat cost by turning a little more towards a Mediterranean eating style?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It has been scientifically proven that reducing red meat consumption, as suggested by the Mediterranean diet, has several benefits, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1. Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2. Reduced risk of certain cancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3. Better natural weight management and metabolism<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">4. Positive effect on cognitive health<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">5. Environmental benefits<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">6. Improved gut microbiota<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strategy #2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When we reduce our intake of red meat, we need to replace it with protein-rich, nutritious, and economical foods. Here are some suggestions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Eggs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Legumes: lentils, red or black beans, chickpeas<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tofu<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Textured vegetable protein<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Whole chicken, chicken breasts, or chicken thighs on sale<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Canned tuna or salmon<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>By gradually adding legumes to chili, spaghetti sauce, burritos, or soups, you can reduce unwanted side effects such as bloating and flatulence.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strategy #3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>These protein-rich foods are more efficient in our bodies when accompanied by a whole grain cereal product. Here are some economical options:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Rice (especially brown rice in bulk bags)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Barley<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Pasta (such as whole grain, stock up on it when it\u2019s on special)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Potatoes (eat them with the skin on, after washing, for more satiety and nutrition)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Large oat flakes (oatmeal, pancakes, homemade muffins)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>And fill your plate with a generous portion of colourful and affordable vegetables:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Frozen vegetables (consistent nutritional quality)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Carrots, onions, turnips, cabbage (green, kale, red), in salads, stir-fries, or soups)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Seasonal vegetables and fruits are accessible and economical<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Here are 5 more solutions for reducing the cost of your grocery bill:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Decide in advance what you would like to eat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Write your grocery list and take it with you when you go shopping.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: initial; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif;\">Here are some apps that can help you choose economical foods: <\/span>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"color: initial; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif;\"><strong>Eezly, Reebee, Flipp, Flashfood.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And here&#8217;s an app that suggests recipes made with discounted ingredients: <strong>Glouton.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eating before going grocery shopping helps <a href=\"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/will-the-new-front-of-package-nutrition-symbol-make-our-grocery-shopping-easier-in-january-2026\/\">reduce impulse purchases<\/a>, thereby lowering the total cost of groceries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be aware of factors that influence our purchases, such as the smell of bread or the <a href=\"https:\/\/juliedesgroseilliers.com\/product\/la-jungle-alimentaire-comment-sy-retrouver\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">size of shopping baskets<\/a> (the bigger they are, the more we feel like something is missing).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One or two days after shopping, take the time to chop your vegetables so you can cook them to your liking when you get home from work or school.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In closing, I wish for you to take the time to enjoy delicious meals and celebrate with your loved ones during the holidays!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>P.S. Here is my Christmas penguins recipe:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2 large, unpeeled carrots<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">30 black Kalamata olives<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">8 cherry tomatoes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">125 g cream cheese<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">15 toothpicks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3 toothpicks cut into 5 mini pieces<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2 small sprigs of parsley<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Instructions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Slice each carrot into 7-8 thick rounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cut each carrot round into a small triangle for the beak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Make a small slit in 15 olives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fill the olives with cream cheese and secure them to each carrot with a toothpick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Attach the beak to the olive (head) using a piece of toothpick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Place the olive (head and beak) on the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cut the 8 cherry tomatoes in half to make the Christmas hat and place them on the olive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Decorate the hat with cream cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Garnish the plate with parsley and cream cheese (snow), if desired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Season&#8217;s Greetings!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to the Report on Food Prices in Canada, there will be a 4% to 6% increase in the cost of food by 2026. As an example, for a family of four (two adults + two children), annual food expenses are estimated at approximately $17,571.79 in 2026, an increase of nearly $1,000 compared to 2025. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3243,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-festivity"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3262","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3262"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3262\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3266,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3262\/revisions\/3266"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}